A Whispered Confession Can Change Everything

Chapter 24

“Draco...have you ever thought about being a chaser?” Draco glanced over at Harry, letting his violin rest in his lap and leaning back against the grass. The breeze blew around them, and though a hot day, the tree they were under provided enough shade.

Shrugging, “I never really put any thought into it...I just wanted to beat you.”

Arms tucked under his head, “Did nothing about Quidich make you happy?”

Sighing, “Flying. That’s the only part, really.”

“Why?”

Closing his eyes, “Nothing holding you down. Just the sun at your back and the wind rushing through you...freedom. Flying meant for a few hours I was free.”

“But why didn’t you enjoy the game? Sure, I love flying but I also love tracking the snitch down.”

Sighing, “Because playing Quidich meant I had to beat you...or else. I didn’t have time to enjoy myself. I just had to constantly worry what would happen when I didn’t win.”

Shifting onto his side, “You could. You’re really good.”

Snorting derisively, “I’m not. I always lost to you. I got on the team because of my father’s
donation, remember?”

Harry caught what he hadn’t the first time. The insecurity and the hurt that he hadn’t been good enough and only his father would make him worthy of playing, “Draco...I can’t apologize enough for the past and well, you were a git about things too. We’re friends now and I don’t lie to my friends. You’re really good and I think no matter what house you get, you should try out. I seem to recall you beat every other house seeker. Seeker or not, you always gave me the most challenge.”

Draco glanced at him, “Really?”

Laughing, “Of course, you git!” Sitting up with wide eyes, “Hey! If you’re not quite 11 yet that means you got seeker at 10.”

Shrugging, “So?”

Giving him a happy grin, “So you’re really the youngest Quidich player in a century.”

“Maybe longer than that since ten year olds don’t get invited to Hogwarts.” Smirking to himself,
holding out his hand, “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

Harry gave him a firm handshake, “Deal!”

Draco grinned, both glancing behind them when a shadow presented itself, “Ah, boys, I was looking for you. Now, if you’ll come with me, we have some things to discuss.”

They both scrambled to their feet, pausing for Draco to put away his violin and following the Headmaster back into the castle. Both followed at an easy clip, tapping one another on the shoulder in an unspoken game of ‘it’ without veering off course. Soon the two of them were dancing around each other and running around the Head-master in an attempt to escape one another.

Albus only chuckled in amusement, realizing he should have brought Harry to play with Draco since the beginning. They were an encouraging influence on one another. They were both giggling like demented hyenas as they tumbled into the Headmaster’s chambers, freezing at the rather proud woman sitting in a chair and watching them with quiet amusement.

Both scrambled to their feet, Draco recognizing her instantly. She was the one that gave him his violin. He clutched it nervously and she laughed invitingly, “Now, Draco, I told you it was a gift. I never take back a gift. Come, boys, come sit with me.” They both felt at peace from her warm and open gaze and wandered to her, sitting in two others chairs that were facing her, “I’m just here to check up on things. Draco, how are you?”

He instantly gave her a radiant smile, “Happy.”

It never even occurred to him to lie or to hide his feelings. She smiled encouragingly, green eyes
gazing at Harry, “And you, Harry, are you feeling better?”

His smile widened a bit, but there was a tinge of sadness that seemed to dampen his radiant spirit, “This is the best summer I’ve ever had.”

She nodded, seemingly understanding his hidden sadness, “Are you looking forward to school starting?” He shrugged a little while Draco looked anywhere else, ears burning red, “Draco, don’t you like school?”

He sighed before looking to her with open honesty, “No, because then I won’t have any friends again.”

She tilted her head while Harry jerked around to stare at him, “That’s not-...”

He glared, “It is true. Pansy was my only friend. If I get resorted I won’t have her and you and Hermione can’t be my friends or Weasley will get mad at you and we can’t have that, can’t break up the golden trio for poor little Dra-...” Harry firmly put his hand over Draco’s mouth, though whipped it away when Draco punched his arm, giving Harry an evil glare, “Don’t cover my mouth!”

“Stop saying stupid things.”

“It’s not stupid if it’s true!”

“Then it’s stupid.”

“I...” Draco paused, his mind processing that bit of information before blinking in
surprise, “You’ll...you’ll be my friend, even if the Weasel makes you choose?”

Smacking the blond’s thigh, ignoring his pout, “I told you to watch that.” Sighing, “And yes, I’ll still be your friend even if Ron decides to be an ass about it.”

“What would be different?”

Harry frowned, “What?”

Blinking innocently, “He’s already an ass...how would it be different?”

He threw a smirk and jumped out of his chair, racing around the table as Harry pursued him. Both boys
were laughing rather quickly and Aurora couldn’t help but smile. It was a nice change, apparently in both of them. Albus’ eyes were twinkling madly though they grew serious when they eyed the mistress of the council.

***

Harry stared thoughtfully at the table in front of him, slowly answering questions and throwing concerned looks at Draco who had yet to leave his side. He answered them as honestly as he could. No, the Dursleys hadn’t really hit him before that day. Yes, his room had been a cupboard under the stairs before Hogwarts. Yes, he’d been treated like a slave his entire life and starved repeatedly for perceived disobedience.

He rubbed his temples after more than an hour of questions, looking tired and Draco was starting to look angrily at her. Aurora ended their discussion rather quickly, giving Draco a careful once over before leaning forward slowly. He didn’t move as she cupped his chin, looking deeply into his eyes before silently moving her thumb across his forehead, he relaxing under her touch. She released him and leaned back, not explaining, “Alright boys, that’s all the questions I have. Now, I believe Minerva has a special treat for you outside.” Once they were gone, the mistress was thoughtfully quiet for several moments before turning her attention to the Headmaster, “Well, that was a very enlightening discussion, Albus, and I have just one question: did you even have a clue what kind of hell you were leaving that boy to or did you just not care?”

Albus’ tea slipped from his fingers, crashing loudly to the ground, “Mis-...”

Jumping to her feet, eyes flashing, “Don’t even begin to utter a sentence to me, Albus, I have such a bone to pick with you. And yes, I realize that is a muggle saying and I don’t give a damn.” She paced from one end of the office to the other, ignoring the paintings of previous Headmasters staring down at her in disapproval. She stopped long enough to shoot two fingers at them and collected herself, “Tell me, Albus, who was it that left the boy in their care?”

And she gave him such a look that made it clear she already knew the answer, “I did.”

“And did you have a clue what sort of people they were?”

Slamming his fist into the desk, “I had no choice, you know that.”

Pursing her lips, “Had I or someone not politically minded been in charge of the Council ten years ago,
would you have still placed the boy there?”

Adamant, “If I had the ability at the time, I would have taken him myself.”

Waving her hand, “You see why I’m concerned. No one, not even the man who knew where he was, checked on
him in ten years.”

“He was alive, Aurora. That was what mattered.”

Narrowing her eyes, “No matter what condition he was in so much as your weapon was in one piece you are
happy.”

Climbing to his feet, voice thundering, “I had no way of knowing. The wards were supposed to protect the boy from attack. We didn’t know the wards would not protect him from those that lived inside of the house. Had I but known...” Albus sat down heavily, looking older than his years, and there were many. He rested his forehead in his hand, sighing shakily and shaking his head in regret.

Crossing her arms, “I checked the wards last night...they’ve been damaged.” Albus looked up slowly, frowning, “For some reason the blood protection is having the opposite effect on anyone in that house. The muggles were prompted by their own emotions and influenced by the wards to attack the child.” Albus’ mind flashed to Draco and Hagrid, both of whom had been in that house, “The effect is temporary from what I have gathered, but powerful. And if he fails to return to the Dursleys next year the wards will be broken and the effects vanish.” Aurora sat down calmly, crossing her legs, “Were Draco even the slightest bit unhappy I would take them both away Albus... but the truth is that he is happy with you. So the question becomes, what do we do with Harry?

Albus looked up warily, “There are options?”

Sighing slightly, pondering to herself, “You are a very respected member of wizarding society, Albus. If you were to throw your considerable weight around and demand custody of Harry there wouldn’t be many that could object. More importantly, I can’t think of many that would. If Harry were willing to sign the petition to request your guardianship, all the better. Add to that my support and it should be rather pain free.”

Wincing, “There is his godfather...”

Aurora chuckled, though there was no humor on her face, “The man was in Azkerban. He isn’t a consideration.”